Gaming control system

ABSTRACT

In an extended casino network, a master controller can be provided to communicate and control non-gaming devices on the casino floor such as lighting, security cameras, public video displays, etc. The master controller may receive control events or commands from an electronic gaming machine in a gaming machine protocol (e.g. G2S) or proprietary protocol and translate the commands to generic protocols for communication to the non-gaming devices. The master controller may also translate events from the non-gaming devices from a generic or device specific protocol to a higher level casino protocol (e.g. S2S) and publish the device events to one or more casino management servers. Furthermore, the master controller may receive control events or commands from one or more casino management servers in a system to system protocol (e.g. S2S) or proprietary protocol and translate the commands to generic protocols for communication to the non-gaming devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/114,313, filed Nov. 13, 2008, the entire contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference. This application is also relatedto the following patents the entire contents of which are each hereinincorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 6,496,927 titled Method AndConfiguring A User Interface For Controlling A Controlled Device BasedUpon A Device Class, U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,061 titled Internet ControlSystem And Method, U.S. Pat. No. 7,224,366 titled Method And System ForControl System Software and U.S. Pat. No. 7,426,702 titled System AndMethod For Multimedia Display.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to gaming networks and in particular to extendedcasino networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The extended casino can be defined as an industry initiative driven bycasino operators and gaming equipment manufacturers collectively tocreate a casino wide gaming and communications network, along with itsassociated equipment, serving network downloadable and server basedgaming and advanced player and casino patron services on the casinofloor using industry standard communications protocols, convergingtechnology and solutions from disparate industries to create greatercompetitive advantage and improved player experience while maintainingthe vitality of the casino industry. The industry initiative drivingadoption of the promise of the extended casino is the Gaming StandardsAssociation, an international trade association that creates benefitsfor gaming manufacturers, suppliers, operators and regulators tofacilitate the identification, definition, development, promotion, andimplementation of open standards to enable innovation, education, andcommunication for the benefit of the entire industry.

Casinos are growing in size, complexity and amenities to continue to becompetitive and attract new gaming and non-gaming patrons. The latestdevelopment in this attempt is the creation of server based games (SBG).Traditionally, slot machines have been stand alone gaming machines withall the electronics, math and software locked up inside the machine.Server Based Games, or SBGs, change this by supporting a client/serverparadigm providing the flexibility to deliver games and services to anygiven slot machine, now called electronic gaming machines (EGMs). Thegames can be stored on back-office servers and be downloaded andreconfigure on the EGM at the command of the gamer. In essence, the EGMswill be slaves or dumb terminals to the system. Casino operators will beable to deploy and configure games and services in minutes as opposed tohours or days as presently experienced. With the SBG architecture,operators can change pay table percentage payout in seconds depending onfloor performance. Gaming regulators are pleased with the transitionbecause they see SBGs as a better way to control hacker proofing bystandardizing on industry leading network security and encryptionstandards.

Over the past 10 years, the Gaming Standards Association has beenworking to define the open communications protocols necessary to makethe extended, networked casino that enables SBG and advanced casinopatron services a reality by providing a robust set of interoperablemachine level message commands and a very secure network transportlayer. These open communications protocols, based on proven computerindustry standard technologies, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP and XML, willallow the industry to migrate to downloadable games and other newtechnology, such as client/server games, Intranet and Internetenvironments, while still maintaining the games of today, well into thefuture. With the release of S2S v1.3 and G2S v2.0 communicationsprotocols, gaming manufacturers are rolling out EGMs and back-officenetwork services to take advantage of the virtues SBGs are designed todeliver.

In the area of player tracking and reward services (card basedelectronic loyalty club programs where players are rewarded withcomplimentary meals, rooms and other benefits), the SBG network candeliver games, digital media, services and amenities when the player isrecognized present on an EGM, Player Club KIOSK, ATM or any remote sitewhere the system determines him to be. Within the EGM the player isrecognized by the insertion of a player club card prior to game play.Remotely within the casino, the SBG network creates a player or patronawareness medium that can be accessed through wireless or biometricreaders that can be deployed throughout the casino area. One suchtechnology that is being embraced is Radio Frequency Identification(RFID). The ability to sense a player's identity in a networkedenvironment presence opportunity to deliver greater personalizedservices remotely throughout the casino property.

On the Hospitality side of the Casino industry, guest rooms and propertywide networked guest loyalty services are beginning to deliver moreadvanced levels of personalization and automation via guest amenitiesnetworks (GANs). Hotel industry standardized networked applications andservices enabling the property wide GAN are being driven largely by theHotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) standards body. The MGMCityCenter is slated to provide personalized loyalty services beingdelivered by RFID room cards that read the guest's presence as he entersthe room and sets room preferences, such as TV, radio, lighting,temperature and shade preferences. The card can also determine when heleaves the room and automatically schedule maid service. Thistechnology, coupled with CityCenter's gigabit network bandwidth, willcreate the medium for unsurpassed guest experiences and services in thehospitality industry.

In a fully automated environment, appliances that change the variousparameters of the environment can be linked to a control area network(CAN) and a controller. The appliances may include heating, ventilationand air conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting systems, audio-visualsystems, telecommunications systems, security systems, surveillancesystems, and fire protection systems, for example. One or moreeasy-to-use user interfaces, such as a touch panel, remote control orsmart phone, may be electronically linked to the control area network toaccept user input and display current system status. AMX of Richardson,Tex. designs and manufactures such networked appliance control systems.

What is required is a fully automated, gaming control system that cantake advantage of the work being done by the casino industry to unifypatron experience by networking and automating casino player and hotelguest loyalty services where possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an extended casinonetwork comprising at least one electronic gaming machine, at least onemaster controller and at least one non-gaming device. The at least onemaster controller may be configured to communicate with the at least oneelectronic gaming machine to receive at least one event from the atleast one electronic gaming machine. The at least one master controllermay be configured to provide a control to the at least one non-gamingdevice in response to the at least one event.

In one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a master controllerconfigured to receive a control event from at least one first device ofa casino network on a first device protocol. The master controllertranslates the control event from the first device protocol to a seconddevice protocol and provides a command event to at least one seconddevice of the casino network in response to receiving the control event.The command event is provided to the second device in the second deviceprotocol.

In one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method forproviding an extended casino network comprising providing a mastercontroller, auto-discovering one or more electronic gaming machinesnetworked to the master controller, auto-discovering one or morenon-gaming devices networked to the master controller, and publishing atleast one service of at least one of the at least one electronic gamingmachines and the at least one non-gaming devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example only, to specificembodiments and to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a Server Based Casino Floor whereelectronic gaming machines and master controllers, configured as gamingand non-gaming event control machines (ECMs), co-exist in tier withcasino hosted network services;

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for providing the casino network;

FIG. 3A illustrates a master controller configured as an ECMcommunicating with generic devices, appliances, EGMs and HostedServices;

FIG. 3B illustrates a gaming control system;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a hierarchal view of a typical GSAgaming network with ECMs sitting on the same tier as EGMs;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an ECM reading an RFID basedpresence awareness instance;

FIG. 6 illustrates an EGM reading a mag stripe player loyalty card andtalking to a Player Tracking System via G2S protocol while an ECM readsan RFID guest awareness tag and talking to a Guest Profile Server viathe G2S protocol;

FIG. 7 illustrates an EGM driving target video to itself and talking toa Player Tracking System via G2S protocol while an ECM drives targetvideo to public displays and talking to a Guest Profile Server via theG2S protocol;

FIG. 8 illustrates how ECMs can jointly tie casino loyalty (playertracking) and guest room personalization together using RFID guest tagswith Resource Management System (RMS) based services;

FIG. 9 illustrates an ECM working with an EGM to provide presenceawareness to drive targeted media to personalize player experience;

FIG. 10 illustrates how an ECM working with media distribution andsignage systems allows an EGM to control generic devices and appliancesto direct target video to specified EGMs and public signage;

FIG. 11 illustrates how an ECM handles multiple events on a networkedcasino floor;

FIG. 12 illustrates translation and subscription functions of multipleECMs; and

FIG. 13 illustrates messages flows between a host ECM connected toplayer awareness modules that serves a client.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An area identified by casino's that need to cooperate are playertracking and guest tracking and personalization databases. With thecombination of these systems and their associated networks into oneuniversal networked loyalty service, the casino can minimize costs andmaintenance overhead while increasing overall patron service quality andexperience. This combination can be best realized through the adoptionof emerging communications and solution standards developed byindustrial standards bodies comprised of leading operator/vendor memberssuch as the GSA and the Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) ofwhich AMX is an active participating member of both. With the promise ofa unified networked loyalty service, casino operators are embracing theneed to create more personalized customer experience which in turn isdriving demand for a casino or gaming control system that introduces newlevels of automation, control and content distribution on the casinofloor and throughout the property.

Besides gaming devices, Nevada casinos have what is legally referred toas “associated equipment,” a classification unique to the Nevada gamingindustry. The technical definition is any equipment or mechanical,electromechanical or electronic contrivance, component or machine usedremotely or directly in connection with gaming or mobile gaming; anygame, race book or sports pool that would not otherwise be classified asa gaming device; or a computerized system for the recordation of salesfor use in an area subject to the live entertainment tax. Associatedequipment includes dice, playing cards, links that connect toprogressive slot machines, equipment that affects the proper reportingof gross revenue, computerized systems of betting at a race book orsports pool, computerized systems for monitoring slot machines, anddevices for weighing or counting money. Persons who manufactureassociated equipment are not required to be licensed manufacturers inNevada. The associated equipment, however, must be approved by theGaming Control Board. Thus, quality designs, while imperative, must alsobe accompanied by an understanding of the requisite approval process.

The Gaming Standards Association (GSA) is a non-profit gaming industrystandards body whose sole intent is to define open standardcommunications protocols for gaming and gaming related systems toeliminate some of the technological communications problems facing manyof the gaming operators using equipment from a variety of gamingequipment manufacturers. Its membership is comprised of manufacturers,suppliers, operators, regulatory advisors and other affiliateorganizations that share the technical vision of promoting openstandards. The mission is to facilitate the identification, definition,development, promotion, and implementation of open standards to enableinnovation, education, and communication for the benefit of the entireindustry.

GSA communication protocols are based on industry standards such as:TCP/IP, SOAP, XML, TLS. They are designed to introduce interoperabilityof disparate gaming equipment and management systems on the casinofloor, such as Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM)s, Casino ManagementSystem, Player Tracking, Billing, Etc.

The primary communications protocols developed by the GSA are the G2S,S2S, GDS and transport protocols, as follows:

-   -   G2S (Game to System)—a standard protocol set to assist open        communications between host systems and Electronic Gaming        Machines (EGMs);    -   S2S (System to System)—a standard protocol set to assist open        communications between host systems;    -   GDS (Gaming Device Standard)—a standard protocol set to assist        open communications between controller and devices within an        EGM; and    -   Transport (based on TCP, UDP and TLS)—peer to peer and        multi-cast connection services leveraging industry standard        encryption/authentication mechanisms for strong security to        manage inter-system communications.

The GDS Protocol is defined by the GSA Gaming Device Standards tocontrol the flow of information between an electronic gaming machine(EGM) and the array of peripheral devices operating inside it, includingbill validators, card readers and ticket printers, using the UniversalSerial Bus (USB) standards protocol. In essence, each peripheral deviceuses one command set to communicate with its host machine. Thatinformation can then be relayed to the casino management system througha machine message protocol, such as GSA's G2S™ (Game-to-System) MessageProtocol.”

The G2S (Game to System) protocol provides a messaging standard, usingXML version 1.0, for communications between gaming devices (such as gamesoftware, meters, and

hoppers) and gaming management systems (such as progressives, cashless,and accounting). The acceptance, implementation, widespread deployment,change management, and future technological advancements to GSA's G2Sprotocol will allow the gaming industry to concentrate on the creationof innovative, appealing gaming products and operations.

The G2S protocol will employ standards and technologies from thecomputer industry, including but not limited to Web Services, TCP, SSL,fully formed XML, and other IP protocols for the primary protocol, andphysical transport technologies, including but not limited to Ethernetand other IP transport mechanisms. Where practical, the G2S protocolwill also accommodate other computer industry standards such asstreaming audio and video on the physical transport layer. Using proventechnologies will enable GSA to provide reliable products quickly to theindustry at a significant savings to manufacturers, operators, andregulators.

The GSA® System to System™ (S2S) Messaging Standard provides a set ofcommunication protocols:

-   -   between gaming host systems (for example, accounting, security,        progressive controllers, advertising, and promotion displays)    -   between gaming and non-gaming host systems, to effect a        hospitality-gaming industry solution.

The current version of the S2S standard includes support for thefollowing types of gaming and nongaming communications:

-   -   Patron registration    -   Player ratings (table games, slots, bingo, keno, poker, sports        book)    -   Table games accounting (hourly estimates, open and closing,        fills and credits, marker and chip purchase vouchers support)    -   Comps (such as complimentary awards, points, money, or        hospitality products)    -   System, data and device configurations (such as defining        active/inactive game types and calculations, progressive        controllers, chip sets, regional settings, shifts, or codes for        particular types of data such as club or badge identifiers)

The invention will assist the transition of the casino floor to an openstandards SEG format by providing inter-communications translationbetween disparate systems. It will also allow environmental control ofnon gaming devices by EGMs via embedded commands (i.e. security camerapanning, audio and lights adjusting, target video distribution, etc.).Finally, the invention will provide auto discovery of EGMs as well asenvironmental devices as they come online and allow casino systems topublish related services.

With reference now to FIG. 1, there is shown an extended casino systemor network 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Thesystem 10 includes a plurality of electronic gaming machines (EGM)s 14which may take the form of many known gaming machine types, include slotmachines, poker machines, Keno, table games, bingo, poker tables, sportsbook, etc. The electronic gaming machines are represented generically asslot machines in FIG. 1. The network may also include various databases13, including and associated servers 15 including a player loyaltyand/or guest profile database and a database and video server forstoring and providing targeted media including video content. Thenetwork 10 may also include host devices 16 including a centralizedaccounting system, currency counters, ticket redemption kiosks, propertymanagement system, slot floor management server, slot accounting server,gaming voucher server, player tracking server, amongst others. The EGMs14 may communicate with the host devices using the G2S protocols. Thehost devices may communicate with each other using the S2S protocols.

In addition to the typical gaming network of EGMs 14 and host devices16, the extended casino 10 includes any number of non-gaming devices 18including lighting, security cameras, air-conditioning units, securitydevices, player awareness modules (e.g. RFID tag readers) and differenttypes of signage, e.g. outdoor signage, retail signage, in-casinosignage.

A control system for the non-gaming devices may also be provided. Thegeneric device control system may be based on at least one mastercontroller (also described as an Event Control Machine (ECM) herein andin the drawings) 12 that communicates with at least one device orappliance 18 coupled to the master controller 12. As will be describedin more detail below, the casino generic device control system allowscasino operators, electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and casinomanagement and hosted services to configure, control, monitor and managenetworked generic devices and internet appliances in a control areanetwork (CAN) within the extended casino system 10.

A method for providing the extended casino network is illustrated in theflowchart 20 of FIG. 2. At step 21, a master controller is provided. Themaster controller may then undertake an auto-discovery process,described in greater detail below, in which the master controller maydiscover one or more electronic gaming machines networked to the mastercontroller (step 22) and may discover one or more non-gaming devicesnetworked to the master controller (step 23). The master controller maythen publish the services of any discovered electronic gaming machinesor non-gaming devices to other devices of the network, such as any hostserver.

A master controller 12 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3A. The mastercontroller 12 is a configurable device that may include various modulesdepending on its configuration and/or functional purpose. Several of thepotential modules are shown in FIG. 3A, though each module shown in FIG.3A need not be present in all configurations, depending on theparticular use to which the master controller will be put. The mastercontroller device is configured with a number of input/output (I/O)channels that may include relays, serial ports, infra-red etc. to allowcommunication with environmental devices such as lights, cameras, audio,video displays, HVAC, etc.

In one embodiment, the master controller 12 provides communicationbetween disparate systems (e.g. the gaming system and generic devicesystem) by translating system specific protocols while providing controlinterfaces to generic devices, and CAN management interfaces tooperators, networked electronic gaming equipment (EGM) and casino hostedmanagement systems.

To this end, the master controller 12 also provides a universal protocoltranslation function performing mediation of disparate system levelprotocols to allow open communication between both the operator and/orgaming systems and their attached generic devices and internetappliances.

While communicating with generic devices and appliances, at least onegeneric device interface module resides on the master controller, wherethe device interface module defines a basic protocol for interface withany device. Configuration information associated with the at least onedevice is used to tailor the at least one generic device interfacemodule to communicate and operate with the at least one device.

While communicating with the operator, an EGM or a Casino hosted service(Management System), at least one Management System interface moduleresides on the master controller, where Management System interfacemodule defines a basic protocol for interface with the ManagementSystem. Configuration information associated with the Management Systemis used to tailor the Management System interface module to communicatewith the Management System.

The casino system 10 can scale in scope through master controller tomaster controller communications to allow secure isolation of sensitivecasino CAN segments and manageable system performance by providing aflexible design and configuration architecture to allow adequate networkload balancing across both local and wide area networks.

The master controller can be configured to support an auto discovery andconfiguration feature allowing the creation and deployment of advancednetwork services that are self configuring and self managing whileallowing device level maintenance, upgrades and replacements at minimalcost and difficulty. Part of the auto discovery process undertaken bythe master controller when it discovers a non-gaming device that isnetworked to the master controller is to determine if the mastercontroller is configured with the appropriate protocol for communicatingwith the discovered device. If the master controller is not configuredwith the protocol, it requests the protocol either from the mediationserver or from the discovered device itself.

The master controller 12 can be configured and managed by casino basedsystems, including EGMs and Casino hosted services, to automate dynamicconfiguration of casino floor personalized experiences, patron servicesand dynamic distribution of player targeted advertisements andpersonalized services to disparate monitors, signage and gaming devicessuch as EGMs, wireless and mobile gaming devices.

When operating in tier with an EGM in a standards based network, likethe hierarchical architecture defined in a typical Gaming StandardsAssociation topology, the master controller 12 can provide genericdevice meter logging, subscription services and meter and eventpublishing to gaming network hosted services. The master controller 12can also provide extended control and monitoring interfaces and servicesto EGMs desiring control of generic devices and appliances outside ofthe EGM cabinet such as public monitors, cameras, remote player IDreaders and lighting. While operating in a GSA compliant capacity, themaster controller 12 provides all necessary translation services betweenGSA compliant communication protocols, such as S2S, G2S and GDS andgeneric device control protocols, such as I/O, serial or TCP/IP. Themaster controller 12 can also be configured to provide standard protocolto legacy protocol translation such as any GSA communication protocol toany Bally or IGT Casino Management System (CMS) communication protocol.The master controller 12 handles dynamic protocol communications bycommunicating with a mediation server and determining whichcommunications module to download to the master controller 12 to be ableto communicate with a given generic device, network appliance, EGM, SMIBController, or Hosted Service.

The master controller 12 is able to control EGM devices and servicesresiding within an EGM cabinet via GDS, SAS, generic device protocol orother proprietary protocols by dynamically downloading the appropriatecommunications module to the master controller 12.

Like an EGM, the master controller 12 ideally operates as a clientdevice on the edge of the network to the casino hosted services and actsas a host services device to the attached generic devices andappliances. Three potential usage case models using the mastercontroller 12 in a networked casino are:

Event Control Machine (ECM)

The master controller may be integrated into the extended casino networkin a way that extends the scope of SBG host management systems tocontrol, monitor, configure, and/or manage devices throughout the casinooutside the existing EGM centric device paradigm. That is, an EGM isgenerally only able to control devices within their physical cabinets,such as coin hoppers, ticket printers, touch panels, EGM displays andthe like. Through the ECM, an EGM's control of the local gamingenvironment may be extended to include additional devices such asAV/lights/HVAC/Cameras/public displays.

In one embodiment, an ECM may operate in a client mode. An ECM can actas a client to any networked host system (FIG. 3). In this capacity, thehost system can subscribe to any ECM relevant metering or event servicesand/or control device and appliances attached to the ECM CAN. The ECM isalso able to auto discover generic devices and appliances within its CANand publish the information to requesting host systems.

In one embodiment, an ECM may operate in a host mode. An ECM in a hostmode can extend control of generic devices and appliances within its CANto requesting EGMs and casino host systems requiring control of thesedevices.

Presence Awareness Managed Services (PAMS)

The master controller may be integrated with player, patron, or guestpresence awareness and/or location based technologies including RFIDtags and readers in concert with back of house player/patron/guesttracking systems to control delivery of target media and environmentallyrelated services. Such an embodiment can encourage and deliver greaterpersonalization of player, guest and patron services both in a gamingenvironment and in a guest services environment.

EGM Generated Event Services (EGES)

Integration that employs EGM generated events in concert with a mastercontroller acting as a rules based control system to provide automatedcasino generic device control/monitoring/management. In one example, anEGM player ID event may trigger a master controller to communicate withthe player tracking system to get a player preference profile andactivate a media server to send player relevant content to therequesting EGM.

The master controller is well suited to control devices and respondto/send events within the GSA enabled casino. Specific applications forthe master controller include:

-   -   Core Proxy server translating G2S event messages received from        EGM to S2S for host services consumption;    -   Control streaming video to the secondary video display in EGMs;    -   Provide Host system control of ambient environment (public        displays, lights, cameras, etc.);    -   Control devices within EGM.

The master controller is suited to operate as Associated Equipmentbecause it is designed to monitor, alarm and control non-gamingenvironments. The master controller provides substantial value whenassuming a universal translator and/or control client role, on peer withEGMs, providing event and meter handling services but operating in anon-gaming (associated) capacity to extend control and meter/eventservices to casino host servers outside of the gaming control sphere.

Universal device control and monitoring functions provided by the mastercontroller may include:

-   -   Control ambient environment—lights, curtains, screens, servos,        temperature, etc;    -   Switch and distribute Media—Downloadable/streaming audio and        video;    -   Monitor device end of life status—battery life, bulb life, etc.;    -   Provide location based services—Proximity management, presence        awareness, asset tracking, etc.;    -   Security services—Control cameras, alarms, auto send email/text,        etc.

As described above, in various configurations, the master controller mayby configured as an Event Control Machine (ECM). Specific functions ofthe ECM may include:

-   -   Control of non-gaming devices in the extended casino including        Audio/Video (TV, Projector, Camera, DVD), Environment        (Thermostat, Lights, Curtains), Communications (Cell, PC,        Intercom, Internet);    -   Logs device events (RMS);    -   Publishing events to Casino services including Casino Management        Server (CMS), Billing Server, Voucher Server, Player Tracking        Server, Progressive, Bonusing.

The ECM may also translate device protocols (e.g. RF, RS-232, IR,TCP/IP), maintain event subscription lists and publish events to G2Sevent subscribers.

In FIG. 3B, a gaming control system is depicted. One or more of thecomponents depicted in FIG. 3A can be removed from the gaming controlsystem in one embodiment of the application.

In FIG. 4, there is shown a hierarchal view of a typical GSA gamingnetwork with ECMs 12 sitting on the same tier as EGMs 14. Like the EGMs,the ECMs provide device control as well as meter and event servicesusing the S2S protocol to casino hosted services 31 via an ECM proxy 32and provide extended control services to EGMs 14 using the G2S protocol.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an ECM reading an RFID basedpresence awareness instance, reading the player profile from a DB,converting the player profile to S2S/G2S classes, parsing the S2S/G2SXML message from another ECM and driving target video to signage.

FIG. 6 illustrates an EGM 14 reading a magnetic stripe player loyaltycard 53 and talking to a Player Tracking System 51 via G2S protocol 56while an ECM 12 reads an RFID guest identity tag 54. The ECM 12 receivesthe RFID data on a configured I/O port and translates the deviceprotocol of the RFID tag reader 55 to a G2S protocol. The ECM thencommunicates the RFID tag data to a Guest Profile Server 52 via the G2Sprotocol. The combination of data from the EGMs and data from the ECMspublished to subscribing casino and hospitality host services, enablesenhanced player services to be provided to the player uniformly acrossthe extended casino property network.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7, an EGM that is talking to aplayer tracking server 61 can drive target video to its own player videodisplay 63 via a G2S protocol. The EGM 14 can also communicate with alocal ECM 12 (i.e. an ECM in the same CAN) on a G2S protocol to causethe ECM 12 to drive target video to public displays 64. Alternatively orin addition, the ECM 12 may talk to a Guest Profile Server 62 via theG2S protocol to drive the targeted video content to the public displays63.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating how ECMs can jointly tie casinoloyalty (player tracking) and guest room personalization together usingRFID guest tags with Resource Management System (RMS) based services. AnECM 12 detects a proximity ID event (player presence) at an RFID playerloyalty tag 71. The ECM 12 sends an S2S protocol command 73 to anEthernet switch 72 requesting an S2S protocol video ad. The ad may be apersonalized or target video that is dependent on a player identity andplayer profile, or the video may be a generic video selected merely dueto the presence of a player in a relevant region of the casino floor.The Ethernet switch 72 relays the video ad request to a video switchcontroller 74, which, in one embodiment may be a Netlinx controllerproduced by AMX Corp. The video switch controller 74 can access videostorage 75 to route a targeted video to an autopatch switcher 76 whichprovides the target video ad 78 to selected casino displays 77 on thecasino floor. FIG. 8 also shows detection of a guest room presence on asecond RFID detector 79. A guest room presence event 710 is sent to theECM 12 on a device protocol provided by the RFID tag detector 79. TheECM 12 receives the guest presence event and generates a Guest/Player IDprofile request 711 to Guest Room Personalization Services 712 via anEthernet switch 713, which may be the same Ethernet switch 72 ordifferent Ethernet switch in the casino network. The Guest RoomPersonalization services 712 may be used to personalize a player's orguest's room experience such as by setting the room to the guestspreferences of lighting, air conditioning as well as delivering targetedmedia to one or more displays within the room.

A further use of player tracking using RFID tags is shown in FIG. 13. Inthis embodiment, player tracking is used to monitor player/guestbehavior in the extended casino, in particular where a player or guesthas restricted location privileges. As shown in FIG. 13, an ECM 12 maybe configured as a host and may be networked with one or more RFID tagreaders (not shown). The ECM 12 provides a host to one or more clientsystems 201. The client systems 201 may include a security server,player tracking system, guest management server, Video content server,casino management system (CMS), property management system (POS) and thelike. When a client subscribes to the ECM host, the client 201 requeststhe zone configurations of the ECM 12 using a GetZoneInfo message 211.The ECM responds with the zone information 212 for which it isconfigured, including any zone numbers, zone descriptors and the like.The client 201 then adds REID tags to the ECM's tracking list by sendingan addClient message 213 which is acknowledged 214 by the ECM host 12.The client 201 may also add a group with similar zone privileges, bysending an addGroup message 215 which is acknowledged 216 by the ECM 12.Individual tags or groups may be indicated to the ECM 12 as wanting tobe tracked so that the ECM may notify the client 201 whenever the ECM 12detects the tag entering the regions monitored by the ECM 12.Alternatively or in addition, the ECM host 12 may respond to locationrequests from the client. E.g. the client 201 may send a whereIsTagmessage 217 that identifies the tag. If the location of the tag is knownto the ECM 12, the ECM 12 responds with a location of the tag 218. In afurther alternative, the ECM may actively monitor the zones to checkdetected tags to determine if any location restriction violations haveoccurred. For example, a tag associated with Mr. Smith is determined bythe ECM 12 to be within a zone restricted for Mr. Smith (the café). TheECM 12 thus sends the client 201 a notification 219 that a privilegeviolation has occurred. The client 201 acknowledges 220 and thenproceeds to handle the privilege violation as appropriate.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an ECM working with an EGM toprovide presence awareness to drive targeted media in order topersonalize a player experience. Metered events 81 generated in one ormore EGMs 14 are sent to ECM1 121 on a G2S protocol. Metered events mayinclude detection of a player ID card in the EGM 14, detection oftampering with a secure system on EGM 14, Jackpot event on EGM 14,Amount of money spent by player at EGM 14, etc. Metered events that canbe used to track a player may be communicated to a player trackingserver 82. ECM1 121 can then command 83 a second ECM, ECM2 122 on an S2Sor similar protocol, to serve a targeted video, via the media managementsystem (AMX Vision2 IP Video Management system shown in this diagram)and video server 84 to public casino displays 85 on a generic deviceprotocol (or device specific protocol) as well as sending targeted videoto the EGMs 14 themselves on a G2S protocol. FIG. 10 shows furtherdetail of how an ECM 12 working with media distribution and signagesystems allows an EGM 14 to control generic devices and appliances todirect target video to specified EGMs and public signage which includesa video on demand (VOD) IP video streaming server (in this case the AMXVision2 system.

In FIG. 11 there is shown how an ECM handles multiple events on anetworked casino floor. As described above, proximity events such as aplayer presence from an RFID tag detector or a metered event (playerprofile event) may be received from an EGM 14 to cause targeted media tobe provided to the EGM 14 or to generic devices (e.g. public displays).A further example is a door open event 91 from an EGM 141, which may becommunicated to ECM1 121 on a G2S protocol. In response to the door openevent 91, ECM1 121 generates a Pan Camera Command 92 to a genericdevice, i.e. a security camera 93 local to EGM 141, transmitted on adevice protocol, to cause the security camera 93 to pan to the EGM 141.The door open event 91 may also cause ECM1 121 to notify a securitysystem of the door open event using an S2S protocol.

The security camera example described with reference to FIG. 11 providesan example of how an ECM can be used to extend the control of an EGM tonon-gaming devices and appliances outside of the EGM cabinet.Specifically, the EGM can generate events that are interpreted by theECM to generate commands to the generic devices and appliances of theextended casino. Many more examples of the types of controls andcommands that would be available for an EGM/ECM using the presentlydescribed methodologies will be apparent to the person skilled in theart and all such examples are intended to be encompassed herein.

In addition to providing a command function, the ECM may be configuredto provide a translation function, as shown in FIG. 12. In the servicedomain of an ECM 121, the ECM 121 communicates with various devices 110such as audio/video devices (e.g. public displays), environment devices(heating, lighting, communications, etc, on device specific protocols.Events generated from these devices may be received by the ECM 121. Theevents may be translated by the ECM 121 from the generic deviceprotocols or device specific protocols to G2S protocols and published toany G2S event subscribers 115 such as EGMs. One G2S subscriber may be asecond ECM 122. The second ECM 122 may translate the device events inthe G2S protocol to an S2S protocol. The second ECM 122 can then publishthe device events on the S2S protocol to S2S subscribers 116, such ascentral servers, allowing the S2S subscribers to handle, process andmanage the device events as appropriate.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated inthe accompanied drawings and described in the foregoing description, itwill be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodimentsdisclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, andsubstitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as setforth and defined by the following claims. For example, the capabilitiesof the invention can be performed fully and/or partially by one or moreof the blocks, modules, processors or memories. Also, these capabilitiesmay be performed in the current manner or in a distributed manner andon, or via, any device able to provide and/or receive information.Further, although depicted in a particular manner, various modules orblocks may be repositioned without departing from the scope of thecurrent invention. Still further, although depicted in a particularmanner, a greater or lesser number of modules and connections can beutilized with the present invention in order to accomplish the presentinvention, to provide additional known features to the presentinvention, and/or to make the present invention more efficient. Also,the information sent between various modules can be sent between themodules via at least one of a data network, the Internet, an InternetProtocol network, a wireless source, and a wired source and viaplurality of protocols.

1. An extended casino network comprising: at least one electronic gamingmachine; at least one master controller; and at least one non-gamingdevice; wherein the at least one master controller is configured tocommunicate with the at least one electronic gaming machine to receiveat least one event from the at least one electronic gaming machine; andwherein the at least one master controller is configured to provide acontrol to the at least one non-gaming device in response to the atleast one event.
 2. The extended casino network according to claim 1wherein the at least one master controller is configured to receive theat least one event from the at least one electronic gaming machine in aG2S protocol.
 3. The extended casino network according to claim 1wherein the at least one event comprises at least one control event,wherein the master controller is configured to translate the at leastone control event from a gaming machine protocol to a non-gaming deviceprotocol and wherein the master controller is configured to provide theat least one event to the at least one non-gaming devices in thenon-gaming device protocol.
 4. The extended casino network according toclaim 1 comprising at least one host server, wherein the mastercontroller is configured to: receive at least one device event from theat least one non-gaming device; and publish the at least one deviceevent to the at least one host server.
 5. The extended casino networkaccording to claim 4 wherein the at least one master controller isconfigured to translate the at least one device event from a non-gamingdevice protocol to at least one of a G2S protocol or an S2S protocol. 6.The extended casino network according to claim 4 wherein the at leastone master controller is configured to receive a subscription requestfrom at least one host server and to publish one or more device eventsfrom the one or more non-gaming devices to subscribed ones of the atleast one host server.
 7. The extended casino network according to claim1 comprising a plurality of non-gaming devices, wherein the at least onemaster controller is configured to communicate with the plurality ofnon-gaming devices using a plurality of protocols.
 8. The extendedcasino network according to claim 1 wherein the one or more non-gamingdevices comprise one or more public displays and wherein the mastercontroller is configured to command a display to the at least one publicdisplay in response to receiving the at least one event from the atleast one electronic gaming machine.
 9. The extended casino networkaccording to claim 1 wherein the one or more non-gaming devices compriseone or more security cameras and wherein the master controller isconfigured to command the one or more security cameras in response toreceiving the at least one event from the at least one electronic gamingmachine.
 10. The extended casino network according to claim 1comprising: a first master controller configured to: translate deviceevents received by the first master controller in a device protocol to aG2S protocol; and publish the device events to one or more G2Ssubscribers; and a second master controller configured to subscribe todevice events of the first master controller using a G2S protocol;translate the device events to an S2S protocol; and publish the deviceevents to one or more subscribers using the S2S protocol.
 11. A mastercontroller configured to: receive a control event from at least onefirst device of a casino network in a first device protocol; translatethe first device protocol to a second device protocol; and provide acommand event to at least one second device of the casino network in thesecond device protocol in response to receiving the control event. 12.The master controller according to claim 11 wherein the at least onefirst device comprises at least one player awareness device and whereinthe master controller is configured to: receive a player detection fromthe at least one player awareness device, the player detectionidentifying a player; determine if the player is in violation of alocation restriction; and provide an indication of the violation to atleast one security server.
 13. The master controller according to claim11 configured to receive a control event from at least one electronicgaming machine and to provide a command to at least one non-gamingdevice in response to the control event.
 14. The master controlleraccording to claim 11 wherein the master controller is configured toreceive a control event from a first non-gaming device and provide acontrol command to a second non-gaming device.
 15. The master controlleraccording to claim 11 comprising a non-gaming device interface moduleconfigured to determine a communication protocol of a non-gaming deviceconnected to the master controller and request the non-gaming devicecommunication protocol from a mediation server.
 16. A method forproviding an extended casino network comprising: providing a mastercontroller; auto-discovering one or more electronic gaming machinesnetworked to the master controller; auto-discovering one or morenon-gaming devices networked to the master controller; and publishing atleast one service of at least one of the at least one electronic gamingmachines and the at least one non-gaming devices.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 16 comprising: receiving a subscription request atthe master controller from at least one host server networked to themaster controller; subscribing the at least one host server to one ormore published events of the master controller; and publishing the atleast one service to the at least one host server.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 17 comprising: receiving a device event from at leastone non-gaming device using a device protocol; translating the deviceevent from the device protocol to an S2S protocol; and publishing thedevice event to the at least one host server using the S2S protocol. 19.The method according to claim 17 comprising: receiving a device eventfrom at least one non-gaming device using a device protocol; translatingthe device event from the device protocol to a G2S protocol; andpublishing the device event to the at least one electronic gamingmachine using the G2S protocol.
 20. The method according to claim 16comprising: receiving a control command for at least one of thenon-gaming devices; translating the control command to a protocolreadable by the at least one non-gaming device; and providing thetranslated control command to the at least one non-gaming device.